The Play Devil and Liberian Ingenuity

Music and dance are part of Liberian life. In 1972 some of the people in Kolila, Liberia where I was the first Peace Corps volunteer from 1971-1973 surprised me with a visit from the Play Devil. The sounds of one musician soon called many of the villagers to watch the play devil's beautiful movements as layers and layers of raffia flew all around him. We all took turns dancing with him. I asked the Chief if the play devil could return to entertain other Peace Corps volunteers. Each time the play devil visited the cost increased. The last time I requested him to dance there was a "Play Devil Committee" where a number of villagers made some income!